The National Press Club of Australia deplores the treatment of Australian journalist Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed s and appeals to the Egyptian authorities to ensure, even at this late stage, a sensible and truly just outcome.

By any reasonable assessment the saga involving Peter Greste and his Al-Jazeera colleagues represents a gross miscarriage of justice that the Egyptian Government must overturn.

Throughout the trial, the actions of Egyptian authorities have been unconscionable.

In the extraordinarily extended “trial” not a shred of evidence was produced in support of the charges against the journalists.

There was nothing in the proceedings to suggest that the authorities had the slightest appreciation of the role of journalists and journalism in society, nothing to suggest an appreciation of the damage being done to Egypt’s standing in the international community.

In the wake of this verdict, the claim by Egypt’s President al-Sisi, that the court was independent, respected and beyond criticism, lacks all credibility.

That the former head of the military chose to make such a statement at a military graduation ceremony is an ominous portent.

President al-Sisi must use his power to overturn the penalties imposed on these journalists who were doing no more than their professional duties – and, from the evidence, doing it well.

A failure to act will seriously diminish Egypt’s reputation and influence in regional and world affairs.

Councillor Margaret McKenna's motion in council regarding violence against people on the basis of their sexuality is commendable (DEX, 15/3).

The violation of anyone's human rights is unacceptable in a civilised society.

Bullying and intimidation in the workplace is equally abhorrent and, I would suggest, a far more widespread form of human rights abuse.

If the good councillor were to ask just how many complaints of this kind of abuse have occurred within Clarence Valley Council over the past 12 months, she may be very unpleasantly surprised.

Bullying in the workplace can become endemic if it is not addressed forcefully and publicly. Bullying and intimidation are trademarks of an absence of quality leadership.

The impact on its victims, their families, their work colleagues, and the productivity and morale of the entire organisation is as profound as it is irreparable.

It cannot be contained or hidden.

We live in an age when social media and personal networks can negate any attempted commercial blackmail of mainstream media.

I would suggest Cr McKenna and all Clarence Valley councillors need to address an issue that threatens not only the reputation and integrity of this council but its continuance in office, and they need to do it immediately.

Ian Saunders

Maclean

Bullying in the workplace is a serious issue, but what has been rumoured since then is even more serious. There are allegations that the Clarence Valley Council workplace is now so toxic that some employees are quietly beginning to look for jobs elsewhere.

Some spooked by the alleged verbally abusive behaviour of more senior staff, others worried by the alleged scapegoating of workmates and some shocked by alleged threat/s of serious physical violence.

The general impression gathered is that Clarence Valley Council is no longer considered a safe workplace by sections of the wider Clarence Valley community.

I have no idea who Mr. Saunders is, but he appears to have come close to hitting the proverbial nail on the head.

If even one of these allegations has a basis in fact, it is time that all nine shire councillors addressed the issue of how and why local government workplace culture has been allowed to sink to such problematic depths.

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Members of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) should be commended for turning their back on anti-natural gas misinformation and scare campaigns and focusing on regional development, APPEA said today.

Two motions, put forward by Griffith City Council in NSW and Moyne Council in Victoria, to respectively restrict and ban natural gas development across Australia were defeated at ALGA’s annual conference in Canberra.

On the same day Metgasco Limited posted this media release on its own website under Industry News.

However, when one examines the 82 motions put forward at the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly on 19-20 June 2014, there is another resolution that both the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA)and coal seam & tight gas miner Metgasco Limited curiously failed to mention:

Motion 30

Gunnedah Council, NSW

Motion

That the Federal Government retain the primary responsibility for the approval of resource projects, coal seam gas in particular and provide regulation which best preserves and protects our natural resources, including our underground water tables in primary agricultural land from contamination.

Objective

At a time when the general public wants the Federal Government to take a key role in expanded regulation of the coal seam gas industry, the Abbott Government is planning to reduce regulation and to devolve much of it to the states. The expansion of coal seam gas in Australia is an important issue and needs strong leadership to ensure industry claims are properly scrutinized. That is what the Federal Government needs to do, not 7 different states and territories.

Arguments

At a time when the general public wants the Federal Government to take a key role in expanded regulation of the coal seam gas industry, the Abbott Government is planning to reduce regulation and to devolve much of it to the states. The expansion of coal seam gas in Australia is an important issue and needs strong leadership to ensure industry claims are properly scrutinized. That is what the Federal Government needs to do, not 7 different states and territories.

Was this motion not mentioned because it was passed and is now a resolution being progressed by the Australian Local Government Association?

Readers will have to wait until the association publishes its 2014 resolutions to answer that question.

The occasion was the inaugural Di Gribble Argument, an event to honour the memory of the publisher who loved a good debate. Carnegie’s starting point was his assertion that ‘‘the current state of citizens’ engagement makes me terrified for the Australia we will leave for our children’’.

‘‘More and more people are disengaging completely from politics or becoming single-issue evangelists, a trend which can only lead to the dictatorship of the passionate minority,’’ he argued.

What followed was a lively discussion about the merits of Carnegie’s proposition that civic service, like jury duty, should be made compulsory for all, with employers paid the cost of releasing their workers for one week every few years, and greater demands made on the young and the old….

Before the last election, Hogan made a specific commitment not to support Federal environment powers being handed back to the states and threatened to “cross the floor” on CSG. However, last week in federal parliament that commitment lay in tatters, and Kevin Hogan voted for the bill which has gutted the water trigger on CSG mining. He had his one big chance to cross the floor, and he blew it. [Michael McNamara, spokesperson with Gasfield Free Northern Rivers, in Echo NetDaily, 19 June 2014]

Friday, 27 June 2014

Metgasco Limited finds itself friendless – with all seven Northern Rivers local government councils having put their concerns and/or outright opposition on the public record and, the NSW Government standing by its decision to suspend operations at the company’s PEL 16 Rosella E01 Bentley gas exploration well.

Metgasco - petroleum exploration licence 16

Status of Rosella exploration well activity approval

26 June 2014

The decision to suspend the operations of Metgasco under the Activity Approval remains in place until the Office Of Coal Seam Gas is satisfied that the company has met the conditions of its title and the conditions of the Activity Approval.Read the decision here.

14 May 2014

On 14 May 2014 the Office of Coal Seam Gas OCSG put a hold on Metgasco's approval to drill an exploration well at Bentley, near Casino in the Northern Rivers, on the basis that the company was not in compliance with its community consultation obligations under Petroleum Exploration Licence 16 (PEL 16).

Metgasco Ltd wrote to the OCSG on 15 May 2014 requesting that the OCSG review its decision of 14 May 2014.

Metgasco provided the OCSG with additional material about its community consultation activities for the proposed drilling of the Rosella Exploration Well to consider as part of the review.

OCSG met with Metgasco on 16 May 2014 to discuss the regulator's decision of 14 May 2014 and the company's submission.

OCSG has informed Metgasco of this and given the company a further 10 days to make any further submissions. A final decision on review will be made following full consideration of any further submissions.

The OCSG has maintained an ongoing dialogue with Metgasco in relation to this matter.

Compliance with Community Consultation Condition

Community consultation and engagement is a key element of the regulatory framework for petroleum exploration projects in NSW.

This is reflected in the imposition of a specific condition on petroleum exploration licences (PELs) issued under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 (the Act). The conditions make it mandatory for petroleum exploration licence holders to "engage with the community in relation to the planning for and conduct of prospecting operations". This condition is supported by a guideline:Guideline for community consultation requirements for exploration (the Guideline).

In addition, licence holders must report on compliance with the above condition annually.

The OCSG acknowledges that some sections of the community are opposed to the development of a gas industry for a variety reasons. We do not expect licence holders such as Metgasco to be able to change their view points.

We do however expect that licence holders such as Metgasco will develop a detailed consultation plan in compliance with the Guideline and demonstrate an ability to effectively and genuinely engage with the community.

The plan should be appropriate to the circumstances of the case and include a detailed analysis of stakeholder groups in the Richmond Valley, Kyogle Shire and Lismore City Council areas.

The OCSG has advised Metgasco that works could be recommenced under the activity approval once an acceptable community consultation plan is in place and the company demonstrates an ability to appropriately engage with the community, in compliance with relevant obligations under PEL 16.

Looking at the media platform breakdown in the Department of Communications Policy Background Paper No 3 Media Control and Ownership it is easy to discern the reasons why the Abbott Government is intent on crippling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Public broadcasting is too successfully competitive with the large commercial media platforms and its disturbs the increasing homogenous content of their political reporting and editorial stances.

This homogenous tone is something that Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been able to use to his advantage in the past.

A brief outline (quotes from the background paper are in italics):

Network Ten

Removal of the BSA’s foreign ownership restrictions in 2006 allowed Canadian company Canwest to convert its large economic interest in Network Ten to a voting interest of 56.7 per cent, delivering control of the company. However, in September 2009, CanWest sold down all its interests in Network Ten due to financial difficulties. Since 2010, large shareholdings in Ten Network Holdings have been acquired by companies controlled by Mr James Packer and Mr Lachlan Murdoch (8.8 per cent each which was, until 27 March 2014, a joint holding) and Ms Gina Rinehart (an original 6.34 per cent stake that has increased to 9.91 per cent).

Southern Cross Media Group (formerly Macquarie Media Group)

In 2007, the then Macquarie Media Group purchased Southern Cross Media Group for $1.3 billion in partnership with Fairfax Media. This deal required the divestiture of 15 commercial radio assets across nine licence areas that would otherwise breach the ‘5/4 rule’. In March 2008, Macquarie sold 19 regional commercial radio licences to various small regional commercial radio networks. In December 2009, Macquarie was renamed Southern Cross Media Group, and in May 2011, the company acquired the Austereo Group (including 10 metropolitan commercial radio licences and two jointly-owned regional commercial radio licences) for more than $700 million.

Fairfax Media

In May 2007, Fairfax Media completed a merger with Rural Press Limited that involved acquisition of a number of regional commercial radio licences and publications such as The Canberra Times. In November 2007, Fairfax Media acquired seven metropolitan commercial radio licences from Macquarie Media Group as part of the acquisition of Southern Cross Broadcasting (described above). This transaction also required the

divestiture of a commercial radio licence in Ipswich, which was sold to Grant Broadcasters. In October 2011 Fairfax sold its eight regional commercial radio licences to Grant Broadcasters for a reported $15 million.

Consolidated Media Holdings and PMG / Fox Sports

Consolidated Media Holdings (CMH) was a subscription television investment company formed in late 2007 when Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) split into two separate businesses – Crown (a gaming company) and CMH (a media company). CMH held a 25 per cent interest in Foxtel and a 50 per cent stake in Premier Media Group (PMG). In 2012, PMG was renamed Fox Sports Pty Ltd. Also in 2012, News Corporation and Seven Group Holdings both submitted bids to acquire CMH. The ACCC opposed Seven’s bid but approved News Corp’s offer, which took effect from 2 November 2012. This transaction delivered News Corp full control of Fox Sports and 50 per cent of Foxtel.

Seven West Media (formerly Seven Media Group)

Following the 2006 media ownership reforms, Seven Media Group was subject to a joint venture agreement resulting in foreign investment company Kohlberg, Kravis Roberts and Co (KKR) acquiring a 47.7 per cent stake and Mr Kerry Stokes acquiring a 47.7 per cent stake through Seven Network Limited, which was subsequently renamed Seven Group Holdings. In early 2011, Seven Media Group was sold to WAN to form a new entity Seven West Media. Seven Group Holdings remains the majority shareholder of Seven West Media, but KKR no longer has a significant stake.

Nine Entertainment Co. / Publishing and Broadcasting Limited

Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) was formed in 1994 through the merger of the Nine Network Australia and Australian Consolidated Press. Following the 2006 media ownership reforms, PBL Media was formed as a 50/50 joint venture between PBL and private equity company CVC Asia Pacific Limited (CVC). In 2007, PBL spin-off company CMH sold down its shares in PBL until CVC owned over 99 per cent of the entity. PBL Media was renamed Nine Entertainment Co on 2 December 2010. In January 2013, the company’s debts forced a restructuring of its financing arrangements resulting in private investment firms Apollo Global Management and Oaktree Capital Management taking control of the company. On 6 December 2013, Nine Entertainment Co was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Foxtel

On 26 May 2011, Foxtel announced its intention to acquire Austar, and on 11 July 2011 the two companies announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement regarding this transaction. The proposal received ACCC approval (subject to an undertaking) on 10 April 2012, and the take-over was finalised by 25 May 2012. This resulted in Austar being de-listed from the Australian Stock Exchange.

Prime Media Group

Following the 2006 media reforms, Prime Media, which had previously only owned and operated regional commercial television licences, began purchasing commercial radio assets. By 2009, Prime’s radio network included 10 regional commercial radio licences in Queensland. However, on 30 August 2013 Prime sold all of its commercial radio assets to Grant Broadcasters for $24.5 million, representing a large loss on its radio investments.

Nova Entertainment (formerly DMG Radio Australia)

In November 2009, Mr Lachlan Murdoch’s investment company Illyria Pty Ltd purchased 50 per cent of DMG Radio Australia from its owner, British media company Daily Mail and General Trust, for a reported $110 million. Illyria acquired the remaining 50 per cent of DMG Radio in September 2012, and rebranded the company as Nova Entertainment on 26 February 2014.

Australian Radio Network

The Australian Radio Network (ARN) was until recently jointly owned by APN News & Media (APN) and American radio company Clear Channel. On 19 February 2014, APN acquired Clear Channel’s 50 per cent of the company, as well as its 50 per cent stake in New Zealand’s The Radio Company, for $246.5 million.

Commercial companies controlling the maximum number of media platforms allowable under Australian legislation

The role of public broadcasting

An examination of the media diversity landscape needs to consider the role of the national broadcasters, the ABC and SBS. These organisations make a significant contribution to media diversity through their provision of television, radio and online services. This is particularly so for the ABC, the reach and depth of whose media outlets compare favorably to its commercial counterparts in most areas of Australia.

* In 2013 the ABC’s primary digital television channel (ABC1) held an average nightly metropolitan prime-time audience of 477,000 per night, which was notably higher than Network Ten’s average audience of 421,000 and placed it third on this measure behind the Seven Network (815,000) and Nine Network (738,000).

* The ABC has also increased its television news service through the introduction of ABC News 24 – a stand-alone, 24-hour news channel delivered on the broadcaster’s digital platform.

* The ABC Local Radio network is also widely consumed in metropolitan markets with 2013 surveys showing that its average daily audience consistently places it in the top three stations in the Sydney market and the top two stations in the Melbourne market.

* Most of the ABC’s broadcast news services are available online, either as streamed content or as catch-up programming, while the ABC News websites held a top 10 position alongside other domestic and international news websites in 2012 and 2013.18

The television, radio and online services provided by the national broadcasters, particularly the ABC, are also prominent in regional and remote Australia, providing audiences with an additional source of news and information in areas where there are frequently few local commercial media outlets. Community broadcasting services, predominantly radio, also add to the diversity of

services available to Australians, although their contribution to diversity of opinion and analysis (i.e. a news focus) is more limited given they tend to be ‘ultra-local’ (produced

by and relevant to particular local communities) or ‘niche’ (providing services of interest to local language or cultural groups within a particular local area).

Reach of media platforms

Looking at the platforms themselves, the print sector has historically exhibited relatively high levels of concentration, dominated by News Corp Australia, Fairfax and APN. In this

regard, it is notable that News Corp Australia and Fairfax titles are, on average, read each week by around 60 per cent and 36 per cent respectively of the newspaper reading public in Australia.

Commercial television and commercial radio, in terms of ownership at least, are more moderately concentrated, with six dominant commercial television networks and major commercial radio networks. However, affiliation agreements, programming syndication and joint venture operations tend to result in fairly homogenous content (i.e. channels and stations) being available to consumers in any given market. This in many respects distorts the picture of media influence across licence areas. For example, the leading opinion or ‘talkback’ radio programs emanate from Sydney with audience

numbers being captured in Sydney licence area ratings data. However, a program may be syndicated and broadcast in other substantial markets, typically regional NSW and Queensland, which significantly increases the reach of the program and therefore its total audience numbers.

There is also a relatively high degree of concentration in the non-regulated media platforms. Subscription television is dominated by Foxtel, with few alternatives beyond a handful of localised subscription television platforms and some IPTV offerings. While there are few regulatory barriers to entry in terms of online media, it is notable that the majority of the online news outlets and portals that are popular with Australians are either directly or jointly owned by traditional media platforms, a point noted in the

following section.

Overlaying the commercial media are the ABC and SBS that, to differing degrees, make a significant contribution to the provision of news and information in both metropolitan and regional areas.

Brief background of one American media mogul operating in Australia

“Scotland Yard detectives plan to interview media mogul Rupert Murdoch about a phone-hacking scandal that led to one of his former top honchos being convicted Tuesday on criminal charges.

Detectives have informed the 83-year-old Murdoch he’ll be grilled “under caution” — a warning given to suspects, according to The Guardian.

The interview is expected to take place in Britain in the near future and could include questions for Murdoch’s son, James, who was executive chairman of News International, the British newspaper reported.

Tuesday’s conviction of Andy Coulson — the disgraced ex-editor of News of the World and one-time flack for Prime Minister David Cameron — could leave Murdoch’s company vulnerable to corporate charges.

Murdoch could wind up being prosecuted under section 79 of Britain’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which holds company directors liable if evidence shows they consented or connived with the wrongdoings of employees.

At least 11 more trials are slated involving 20 other former journalists for News of the World and The Sun, British tabloids owned by Murdoch’s company.

Murdoch also faces a number of civil suits filed by victims whose phones were hacked. His company has already agreed to pay damages to 718 victims.”

U.S. President Barack Obama announced a plan for creating the world's largest marine sanctuary on Tuesday, covering hundreds of thousands of miles of Pacific Ocean, along with new pledges to fight illegal fishing and seafood fraud.

It would make the monument the largest protected area on the planet—either on land or in the sea—and two times larger than the currently largest protected area, which is in Greenland. (See: "U.S. Invites Public to Submit Nominations for Marine Sanctuaries.") The sanctuary would cover the full 200-mile (322-kilometer) U.S. exclusive economic zone around seven uninhabited islands and atolls.

"I'm using my authority as president to protect some of our nation's most pristine marine monuments, just like we do on land," Obama said in a taped message to the State Department's Our Ocean conference in Washington on Tuesday.

"We know how fragile our blue planet can be," the president said, pointing to threats like ocean acidification, overfishing, and pollution. "If we ignore these problems, we won't just be squandering one of humanity's greatest treasures, we'll be cutting off one of our major sources of food and economic growth."….

Thursday, 26 June 2014

Richmond Valley Council has reportedly stepped back from its ‘netural’ position on the coal seam gas industry and, at its 24 June 2014 monthly meeting unanimously passed a motion voicing its opposition to fracking occurring anywhere with its local government area.

Richmond Valley's motion now completes the local government circle in the NSW Northern Rivers region, with all seven councils having put their concerns and/or outright opposition on the public record. Links to reasons given by the six other councils: Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore. and Tweed.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed

to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Lock Your Local Council

Over the last 2 years councils right across Australia have passed motions opposing coal seam gas and other unconventional gas development and calling for a moratorium. Local councils have led the charge to support the community and prevent reckless and unsafe unconventional gas mining.

Is your council on the list below? If not, why not approach your council and ask them to oppose the renewal of unconventional gas licences, and to support a moratorium on unconventional gas mining? Ask them to also seek increased powers for local councils to reject coal and unconventional gas mining.

List of Local Councils Who Have Passed Motions:

South Australia

The following South Australian councils have passed motions noting concern or opposition to unconventional gas mining and exploration:

South East Local Government Association, 13 June 2014

Robe Council, 14 January 2014

Wattle Range Council, March 2014

Mt Gambier, 22 May 2014

Victoria

The following Victorian councils have passed motions noting concern or opposition to unconventional gas mining and exploration:

State Council of the Municipality Association of Victoria, 16 May 2014

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
[Adopted and proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948]

NSW North Coast

Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Moggy Musings

Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.

A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourismbusiness development services.

A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!

An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements.The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.

A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.

A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?

A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.

An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?

A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.

A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.

A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?

An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.